Blog 5

Part 1

Chapter 9: New Media

Case 9 - G

Looking for Truth Behind the Walmart Blogs. 

Micro Issues

1/ Should Edelman have acknowledged that problem on its website before the fortune magazine reporter broke the story? Should it have responded afterward?

Edelman should not get risk in involved in such these ethical issues, but since that happened, I think that they must acknowledge before the Fortune magazine reporter broke the story. In both cases, whether reveals the truth before or after the fortune magazine, the most important thing that they made a mistake by involved in such these acts, especially when the company motto is honesty, integrity and transparency.

Midrange Issues

1/ In the "marketplace of ideas" is there any place for this type of "stealth" public relations?

I think that Walmart's public relations did not intervene in "the marketplace of ideas" but, directly or indirectly they have had interaction from the public in this case. It was supposed to take into account the moral standard and is committed to doing. Also, the media should be used in a fair and honest ethical way which is the first principle to write or broadcast any message through the media, especially from a public relations firm like them. In addition, they should not interfere in the "marketplace of ideas" and should maintain it strong.

Macro Issues

2/Critics called for the great transparency in the blog. Edelman claims to use "transparency to build credibility and trust" what does transparency means in public relations? It is different from transparency in journalism? Was Edelman transparent in its dealing on these two web sites?

Transparency and honesty, trust and truth are the most important ethical principles in the profession of journalism and public relations. From my point of view, it is inevitable and it is not a subject for debate. Transparency and truth are the essential ethical axes issue for any profession and not just public relations or journalism. I think that the truth and transparency associated with each other just tell the truth and be honest and clear. People are demanding transparency because deception practices and tricks on consumers has become, unfortunately, a very common thing.

Part 2

This brief memo illustrates the importance of new media and social media such as Twitter or Facebook or any other social net work with a statement of some of the points in ethical principles that must be followed.

Using social media add a lot to any company in the digital and technology age like communicate with advertisers and consumers as well as the internal and external audiences. Also, new media provided a way for our employees to interact with the outside world to reflect the good image of the company.

Social networking sites are one of the best ways to promote the brand in lowest cost if used in the right way. In line with this digital age everyone used social media as one of the most important media now. In contrast, using social media requires us to be responsible about everything and comply with the Code of Conduct and ethical issues.

The following I will introduce some of the most important ethics for using social media but it remains the primary focus of the application of these laws is a personal restraint. For example:

"# Respect the intellectual property of others," such as the development of the source of the information, image and others in the context of use and documented so.

# Not steal or copy the work of others or creative programs, plans and other such as business.

 # Telling the truth is always the best way and up us to the summit, because credibility is the basis of the whole thing. Loss of confidence is possible to make you loss everything. Everyone here is representing themselves or the company which work on. So, we must be more careful to the public interest. In short, everything that you published is way to express yourself and your personality.

 # The existence of privacy between all these social networking sites is more like the impossible. There is a need to promote awareness about privacy matters to protect personal information. Violation of the privacy of others is very bad, either by publication of photographs or news or private information about any person without obtaining consent. Stand at the borders of the other, shows how you respect them.